Topical Encyclopedia
In Christian theology, a "believer" refers to an individual who has faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of humanity. This faith is characterized by trust, reliance, and adherence to the teachings of Christ as revealed in the Bible. The term is often synonymous with "Christian" and is foundational to the identity and life of those who follow Christ.
Biblical FoundationThe concept of belief is central to the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, belief in Jesus is presented as the pathway to eternal life: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (
John 3:16). This verse underscores the salvific nature of belief, emphasizing that faith in Christ is essential for salvation.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the nature of belief in his epistles. In
Romans 10:9-10, he writes, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved" . Here, belief is not merely intellectual assent but involves a heartfelt trust and public confession of faith.
Characteristics of a Believer1.
Faith and Trust: A believer places their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" . This faith is both a gift from God (
Ephesians 2:8) and a response to the revelation of God in Christ.
2.
Obedience and Discipleship: Believers are called to live in obedience to Christ's commands. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (
John 14:15). This obedience is a mark of true discipleship and reflects a transformed life.
3.
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live a godly life.
Romans 8:9 states, "You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you" . The Spirit's presence is a seal of the believer's salvation and a source of spiritual growth.
4.
Community and Fellowship: Believers are part of the body of Christ, the Church. They are called to fellowship with other believers, as seen in
Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" . This community life is vital for mutual edification and support.
5.
Hope and Assurance: Believers possess a hope that is anchored in the promises of God. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation of future glory. As Paul writes in
Romans 5:1-2, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God" .
Challenges and PerseveranceBelievers are not exempt from trials and tribulations. Jesus warned His followers, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (
John 16:33). Despite challenges, believers are called to persevere in faith, trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness.
James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" .
ConclusionThe identity of a believer is deeply rooted in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Through faith, obedience, and the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ, living as His witnesses in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who believes; one who is persuaded of the truth or reality of some doctrine, person, or thing.
2. (n.) One who gives credit to the truth of the Scriptures, as a revelation from God; a Christian; -- in a more restricted sense, one who receives Christ as his Savior, and accepts the way of salvation unfolded in the gospel.
3. (n.) One who was admitted to all the rights of divine worship and instructed in all the mysteries of the Christian religion, in distinction from a catechumen, or one yet under instruction.
Greek
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness... In short, 4102("faith") for the
believer is "God's " – and therefore distinct
from human belief (confidence), yet involving it.
...3534. nikos -- victory
... In the NT, this victory always refers to the conquest accomplished for thebeliever
(cf.... Accordingly, death can exert conquest over thebeliever (1 Cor 15:55)....
25. agapao -- to love
... Cognate: 25 -- properly, to , to ; for thebeliever, "" (1 Jn 4:9,10), ie embracing
God's will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power....
4135. plerophoreo -- to bring in full measure, to fulfill
... 4135 ("fully carry through") is used of God's power bringing thebeliever to potential,
"matching" their true knowledge of Him (cf. 1 Cor 12:13)....
166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... and") -- properly, "" ("like-an-"), ie an "age-" (the quality describing a particular
age); (figuratively) the unique (reality) at work in thebeliever, ie as...
2167. euphrosune -- gladness
... Cognate: 2167 (from 2165 ) -- an () -- regulated from within by the Christ shares
with thebeliever through faith (cf. Phil 2:2-5 with 1 Jn 4:17)....
3008. leitourgeo -- to serve the state, ie by anal. to perform...
... For thebeliever, 3011 () refers to the priestly-ministering they give to God --
which automatically impacts (for eternity) all who witness it....
3453. mueo -- to initiate into the mysteries, hence to instruct
... 'I have been initiated' " (, 893).]. : of the Holy Spirit enables thebeliever to
learn "." By experiencing faith ("God's inworked persuasions"), every decision...
5545. chrisma -- an anointing, unction
... Cognate: 5545 (from 5548 , "anoint with oil") -- , referring to the ministry of
the , guiding the receptivebeliever into fullness of God's preferred-will (see...
5207. huios -- a son
... For thebeliever, becoming a son of God begins with being reborn () by
the heavenly Father -- through Christ (the work of the )....
Library
The Examination and Rewarding of theBeliever's Works.
... Chapter Eight The Churchward Results of the Redeemer's Return 5. The
Examination and Rewarding of thebeliever's works. "Behold, I...
TheBeliever's Challenge
... TheBeliever's Challenge. A Sermon... What must be the strength when the whole four
are interlaced and intertwisted, and become the support of thebeliever?...
ABeliever's Privilege at Death
... 7. Death and the last day 2. ABeliever's Privilege At Death. 'For to me
to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Philippians 1: Hope...
On the Death of aBeliever.
... FUNERAL HYMNS. Hymn 72 On the death of abeliever. John Newton 8,6,8,6. On the death
of abeliever. In vain my fancy strives to paint. The moment after death....
The Transformation of EachBeliever into the Image of Our...
... Chapter Eight The Churchward Results of the Redeemer's Return 4. The Transformation
of eachbeliever into the Image of our glorified Saviour....
TheBeliever not an Orphan. "I Will not Leave You Comfortless: I...
... THEBELIEVER NOT AN ORPHAN. "I will not leave you comfortless: I will
come to you.""John xiv. 18. THEBELIEVER NOT AN ORPHAN....
TheBeliever's Dying Testament.
... THEBELIEVER'S DYING TESTAMENT. THEBELIEVER'S DYING TESTAMENT. 7,6,7,6. "I am now
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.""2:Tim.4:6....
Because for theBeliever There is "No Judgment" and all Upon Earth...
... Chapter Seven The Beneficiaries of the Redeemer's Return 5. Because for thebeliever
there is "no judgment" and all upon earth during the Tribulation period...
Christ theBeliever's Husband
... Christ theBeliever's Husband. Isaiah 54:5 " "For thy Maker is thy Husband."... How
shall I set forth thy happiness, Obeliever, thou bride of God!...
Whether aBeliever Can Marry an Unbeliever?
... OF DISPARITY OF WORSHIP AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether
abeliever can marry an unbeliever? Objection 1: It...
Thesaurus
Believer (15 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Believer (15 Occurrences). John 11:26 and every one
who is living and is a
believer in me shall never, never die.
...Perseverance (27 Occurrences)
... Once justified and regenerated, thebeliever can neither totally nor finally fall
away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting...
Witness (295 Occurrences)
... the man who "believeth on the Son of God," so as to prove him by reliance, He becomes
self-evidential in experience, verifying himself to thebeliever as the...
Faith (769 Occurrences)
... 43; 16:31). In this act of faith thebeliever appropriates and rests on
Christ alone as Mediator in all his offices. This assent...
Songs (100 Occurrences)
... Origen made the allegorical theory popular in the early church. As a Christian he
represented the bride as the church or the soul of thebeliever....
Dwell (474 Occurrences)
... New Testament passages, of the indwelling of the Father or of the Godhead in Christ
(John 14:10 Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9), of thebeliever in Christ...
Malefactor (2 Occurrences)
... Sonship is the present possession of thebeliever in Christ (1 John 3:2). It will
be completed at the second coming of our Lord (Romans 8:23), at which time...
Predestination
... (3.) It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair and the cordial embrace of
the free offer of Christ. (4.) In the case of thebeliever who has the witness...
Pauline
... At all events, through the Spirit Christ is in thebeliever (Romans 8:10 Galatians
2:20; Galatians 4:19 Ephesians 3:17), or, what is the same thing, the...
Song (207 Occurrences)
... Origen made the allegorical theory popular in the early church. As a Christian he
represented the bride as the church or the soul of thebeliever....
Resources
What is the authority of the believer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the key to growing as a new believer? | GotQuestions.orgWhen is it necessary to rebuke another believer? | GotQuestions.orgBeliever: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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